2013 NSRA Street Rod Nationals

You go anywhere enough times and you begin to think of it as "home". Maybe not your family's home but home nonetheless. And for street rodders everywhere our "other" home is most assuredly in Louisville, Kentucky. The National Street Rod Association has visited Kentucky Exposition Center grounds 19 times over the past three decades and continuously since 1998. It was in 1994, the Silver Anniversary of the Nats, that the greatest number of participant cars were registered, moving over the 15,000 mark. The first trip to Looville occurred in 1988 (10,870 entrants), and the love affair with this venue began.

This year was the 44th annual and it shows signs of growing gracefully with the times. It's only been a few years now but the Nats is titled the Street Rod Nationals Plus, referring to the cutoff of 30 years or older model year. This year's car count was 10,034 participating rods, and while we aren't sure of the exact count of pre-1949 or post-1948 vehicles, there can be no denying that the later model cars are in favor and plenty are showing up. To this number you can count on 298 exhibitors and tens of thousands of spectators who came through the gates Thursday through Sunday.

There are other attractions rodders can count on, with one being the Michigan Hot Rod Repair Shop (MHRA) and thankfully so to any and all rodders who availed themselves to the numerous tools and expertise on hand to fix the smallest to biggest mechanical woes. Another favorite is the New Products section (see Window Shopper on page 18 in this issue) as the latest from within our industry is shown for the first time, giving rodders plenty of ideas for their current or future ride. Everything from a new sheetmetal body to safety items, all are there for viewing and good ol' hands-on touchy-feely. The Builder's Showcase, which began in 2006, runs the length of the exposition show building just inside the front doors and is loaded with many topflight cars and trucks of all years; it's another popular destination for rodders attending the Nationals. This year 30 builders had their finest efforts on display. Outside there is plenty more, with traditional venues such as the UPS Commercial Way, RideTech Suspension Analysis, Mopar Country (in its 38th year and sponsored by Mopar), PPG Outstanding Use of Color award, The Thumpr Award sponsored by COMP Cams, and the Swap Meet. Another pair of favorites are two events designed to recognize the younger rodders and those who have displayed yet another level of special skills—the Vintage Air 29 Below, which dates back to 1986, and a great way to recognize the younger generation of rodders; and Classic Instruments Pros' Pick. Participants 29 years of age or younger who bring their street rods will receive a commemorative T-shirt and dash plaque. For the "senior" division there is the Pros' Pick sponsored by Classic Instruments, and from that group a selection of 12 cars are picked by builders and others from within the street rod community. And these too go home with special recognition awards.

2/16When it comes time to cruise the Nats show grounds it doesn’t get any better.

For those who wish to go "big" or go home—the NSRA once again gave away an outstanding example of what can be done with a street rod with this year's 1932 Ford full-fendered roadster built by Ronnie's Hot Rods. Then there is the NSRA's Super Prize Program, in its 26th year, with what seems like an endless amount of merchandise, actually $73,112 worth, given away to entrants who were lucky enough to have their Sunday lucky ticket picked.

The Nats became a tradition within our rodding world decades ago and now while many of us are attending our double-digits Nats there are second- and even third-generation rodders now involved. Growing older and growing stronger is the path for our Nats.